UK's Pfas Action Plan Labelled 'Crushingly Disappointing' by Environmentalists
Environmental campaigners have strongly criticised the UK government's newly released action plan to tackle per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (Pfas), widely known as 'forever chemicals', describing it as incredibly weak and a missed opportunity to prevent decades of avoidable harm to both people and the environment.
Government's Framework Falls Short of European Standards
The government has stated that its Pfas action plan establishes a clear framework for coordinated efforts to understand the sources, spread, and reduction of public and environmental exposure to these chemicals. However, experts argue that the proposals fail to align with the more stringent measures already being implemented across Europe, where national governments are proactively banning Pfas on public safety grounds ahead of broader EU-wide restrictions.
Pfas are man-made chemicals found in a vast array of consumer products, from waterproof clothing to electronics, prized for their durable and non-stick properties. Their chemical bonds are so robust that they do not break down in the environment for tens of thousands of years, leading to their ominous nickname. Alarmingly, Pfas are believed to be present in the blood of every person on the planet, highlighting their pervasive nature.
Emerging Evidence of Health and Environmental Risks
Growing evidence points to multiple harms from Pfas to human and environmental health. Two of the most commonly used forever chemicals have already been largely banned following research linking them to various forms of cancer. Recent studies have revealed that nearly all English waters exceed proposed safety limits for Pfas, and wildlife across the UK, including dolphins, otters, porpoises, fish, and birds, have been found to contain these chemicals in their tissues and organs.
Emma Hardy, the environment minister responsible for chemical pollution, introduced the plan, acknowledging that Pfas present a long-term challenge for health and ecosystems, and pledging decisive action to mitigate their harmful effects.
Key Measures and Criticisms of the Plan
The government's measures include:
- Launching a consultation on setting statutory limits for Pfas in England's public water supply regulations.
- Increasing testing and monitoring of estuaries and coastal waters in England.
- Conducting tests on food packaging to determine Pfas content.
- Publishing a website to enhance public awareness and understanding of Pfas risks.
Despite these steps, campaigners like Chloe Alexander, chemicals policy lead at Wildlife and Countryside Link, have labelled the document a crushingly disappointing framework that avoids tough decisions. She notes that the UK's approach pales in comparison to actions in Denmark and France, which have already banned Pfas in certain consumer products such as clothes and cosmetics and initiated clean-ups of contaminated sites.
Shubhi Sharma, a scientific researcher at Chem Trust, criticised the government's focus on gathering more information as redundant and a delaying tactic, stating that action has been deferred indefinitely. In contrast, Dr Mohamed Abdallah from the University of Birmingham expressed encouragement at the UK's holistic approach to regulation, emphasising the need to minimise harmful effects before it is too late.
Expert Calls for More Targeted Action
Professor Patrick Byrne of Liverpool John Moores University highlighted a major blind spot in the plan: the lack of knowledge about the quantities and sources of Pfas entering the environment. He argued that simply measuring concentrations or increasing monitoring, as suggested, is insufficient. Instead, he advocates for measuring Pfas loads—the total amounts released from industries and contaminated sites—to identify major polluters and direct cleanup efforts effectively for greater impact.
This ongoing debate underscores the urgent need for robust policies to address the persistent threat of forever chemicals in the UK.
